COOP - 3/25/2013 6:54:58 AM

Corey, I think you may be right. If this wins, I may suggest making the reference bigger. If it doesn't win I may re-submit with that change.

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- 3/24/2013 11:46:07 PM

now that i think about it, this may be the one case where i'd say make the verse reference bigger. it would make someone think "wait what? the bible talks about that?"

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- 3/24/2013 11:44:24 PM

i think there is something about the critique mindset, where it's easy to over analyze. the 5 second rule is a good one to use.... take a few seconds and just look at the shirt, and whatever is the 1st thing to come to mind will often be the first thing that comes to others' minds as well. to me "engage your testosterone" means "be more manly" at first. literally that's the term that comes to mind. it's only when i go into critique mode, that i start thinking about every possible interpretation of it, and it starts to get a little more vague in it's concept. judging by this, again, i think it's fine. i do think it's possible that someone may wonder what it means, but it is impossible to make every person easily understand exactly what you're trying to convey. it's the goal, but a near impossible one a lot of the time.

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reinecke - 3/24/2013 10:45:06 PM

Agreed. Within the "Christian Bubble" this phrasing makes perfect sense. We "Engage" as an enemy- As Paul Says, we beat our flesh into submission and make it our slave. But the oddities of the English language take over here. While we can "Engage" an enemy, we can also "Engage in conversation," or "Become engaged in…" something (indicating an active involvement). To the lost, the concept of "Engaging your testosterone" might say more about indulgence, than overcoming.

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COOP - 3/21/2013 1:49:07 PM

Ok Troy, Thanks.

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TROY - 3/21/2013 1:30:25 PM

No, I get it. You've thrown "testosterone" and "testicular fortitude" around since your arrival. It seems to direct people to an extreme that is unnecessary. David said it best when he said the message could "backfire on you".

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COOP - 3/21/2013 11:58:22 AM

Troy, thanks for the comment. There are 3 reasons why I didn't just say "be a man". 1. It's boring 2. It's been done before 3. It's not as much of a conversation starter as this shirt will be. Just look at the conversation thread here so far.

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TROY - 3/21/2013 10:38:25 AM

Coop, I've got to ask, if you want to say, "Be a man", why not just say that exactly? To me, if you want to remove all questions as to what you are referring to, just say what you mean. And that's not to say I'm embarrassed or ashamed, as you say. I'm just saying, why take the reader through the possible interpretations before they get your actual meaning? (If they get there.) As for the design itself, you've got a great color combination and excellent distress going on. I could see this on a heather grey shirt to give it more of an athletic look. It looks great on the grey background here.

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COOP - 3/20/2013 12:46:05 PM

I think I agree with that. Also if "your" came down in size a little then it would have been easier to get the points of the bolts at the center of "your". Thanks Corey.

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- 3/20/2013 12:11:52 PM

it's pretty solid all around. kerning is good, everything is lined up well ("your" could come down a few pixels i think). i think if you asked what i would change if i could change anything, it'd be the bolts. it'd be a nice touch if the tips were centered and pointing to "your" a little better. i'm sure if you agree you could tweak that before sending the print file if it wins.

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COOP - 3/20/2013 12:08:12 PM

Thanks Corey! What do think of the actual design itself? Love your critiques!!!

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- 3/20/2013 11:35:17 AM

i don't think testosterone is immediately a sex symbol. when i think testosterone i just think of being manly. i think you're fine there.

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COOP - 3/20/2013 9:44:35 AM

It may very well be a sexual reference for some married Men and that's fine. Like I said, it's a reminder to myself and my fellow brother in Christ, to BE A MAN! Sometimes as a married man that means taking care of your wife. That includes sex! We shouldn't be embarrassed or ashamed to talk about it.

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DavidGaddy - 3/20/2013 9:13:41 AM

Oh wow. Very bold but I like it a lot. My only fear would be if the message backfires on you and people think it's a sexual reference. :/ Still gets high marks from me.

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